Driving habits of rural folk

[5030]

Many times I've pulled into the center turn lane to turn left into a business only to be confronted by an accelerating car coming right at me. I have the right of way. They don't. Then they have to either slam on their brakes, or hit me, or pull to their right and hit the traffic they were trying to beat, or pull to their left to hit oncoming traffic.

The safe option if traffic is too heavy is to turn right out of the business, then go around the block to get back to the way you wanted to go. But no one will do that, because it might take an additional 2 minutes out of their busy day, so they risk other people's well being VS doing the right thing.

I do that all the time Mossy. Must be my age or something and on the e-way I drive 5 below the posted limit (in the right lane of course). You go down the road and see a bunch of cars in the left lane all wadded up, going 80. If the leader of the pack has an issue, all the rest rear end each other because the reaction time to a sudden slow down is so long (from eyes to brain to foot, they are all piled on top of each other... tailgating is bad business.

Anyway, I'm, usually tooling along 5 under the limit with no one around me. If they come up on me, they can pass me in the left lane. I'm never in that big of a hurry anyway and I play the 'Lets see how good a fuel mileage I can get game too. I'm always around 40 mpg in my buggy and in my wife's suburban I get 19. Just like the one Trump rides in but hers is cranberry red. Even has a TV for the backseat occupants. I did do the cylinder over ride on it. I don't like GM's cylinder cut out feature. It's hard on the engine. Thing is a bus. Luxurbus....:laughing:

 

[5030]

What happened to the good old days when 'cruise' was a stick jammed between the accelerator pedal and the bottom side of the dash? I still have one of the throttle sticks from my big truck days.

 

[MossRoad]

Then why use CC???

It holds my speed 99% of the time, it keeps me in the flow of traffic, people coming up behind me or people that I'm passing don't have to contend with my speed changing, etc... my consistency helps everyone else have to deal with one less thing and vice versa.

 

[Jstpssng]

Pretty sure it's illegal to use the center turn lane as a merge lane.

And NO, you cannot left turn across one lane of traffic and wait for the other lane of traffic to clear.

Then what is the lane there for? When they started putting those in years ago the local PD sponsored a newspaper article telling how to use them, and it's precisely what they are for.

From this site:What is a Center Left Turn Lane?

A center left turn lane is the lane in the middle of a two-way street that is painted with double yellow lines. The inner lines are broken yellow, and the outer lines are solid yellow.
The center left turn lane should only be used for the following traffic maneuvers:
Making a left turn or a U-turn when permitted.
When making a left turn from a side street or driveway, wait on the center left turn lane until it is safe to enter the regular traffic lane.

If you need to make a left turn or U-turn where there is a center left turn lane:
Turn on your left signal.
Look over your left shoulder, and also make sure that there is no oncoming traffic inside the center left turn lane.
When it is safe, drive inside the center left turn lane.
Watch out for oncoming traffic and when it is safe make the left turn or U-turn.

If you are making a left turn from a side street or driveway:
Turn on your left signal.
Look at your left and ahead, and when traffic is clear from your left side, make sure that the center left lane is also cleared, then make a left and enter the center left turn lane and wait for the traffic to clear on your right.
Look at your mirror and over your right shoulder and when the traffic is clear and it is safe, enter the regular traffic lane.

Below are the rules that apply to center left turn lanes:
You are not permitted to drive in the center left turn lane for more than 200 feet.
Never use the center left turn lane as an ordinary traffic lane or for passing other vehicles.
Do not enter the center left turn lane unless it is clear of traffic.

 

[Jstpssng]

Then why use CC???

As we've been trying to point out; using CC and some of the other features mentioned here doesn't reduce your need to pay attention to your driving.

 

[bcp]

In Washington (RCW 46.61.290), and Oregon (ORS 811.346) you can use a 2-way left turn lane as a merge lane when turning left from a driveway, etc.

Bruce

 

[dragoneggs]

In Washington (RCW 46.61.290), and Oregon (ORS 811.346) you can use a 2-way left turn lane as a merge lane when turning left from a driveway, etc.

Bruce

Thanks Bruce... I would hate to think I was breaking the law all these years!

 

[tallyho8]

I get an arcane bit of enjoyment out of a tailgator when they are right on me and I jam on the brakes.

Just don't do this in a Pinto or you may wind up :hot::tombstone::cloud9:

 

[newbury]

I took it as Moss was joking (pointing out typical stereotyping) and in no way was trying to insult you personally.

I did too. We shall see.

This makes 3 votes for us thinking Moss not meaning to insult Drew.
C'mon Moss - tell us what you really meant.

 

[MossRoad]

Go read the posts in order. I was siding with daugen.